This vulnerability allows for improper input validation in Apache Tomcat, specifically due to incorrect error handling of some invalid HTTP priority headers. The result is incomplete clean-up of failed requests, which can lead to a memory leak. If exploited, an attacker could trigger a large number of such requests, ultimately resulting in an OutOfMemoryException, causing a denial of service.
The severity of this vulnerability is assessed as high, with a CVSS score of 7.5. This rating signifies a significant risk to organizations using affected versions of Apache Tomcat. The risk is further compounded as denial of service can disrupt operations and service availability.
Exploitation of this vulnerability is confirmed, and users are urged to take prompt action. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
In summary, this vulnerability poses a real-world risk to organizations relying on Apache Tomcat. Immediate remediation is essential to prevent potential service outages.
Vulnerability Details
The Apache Tomcat vulnerability CVE-2025-31650 is classified as an improper input validation issue. The specific problem arises from incorrect error handling for certain invalid HTTP priority headers, leading to a memory leak. The affected versions include Apache Tomcat from 9.0.76 through 9.0.102, from 10.1.10 through 10.1.39, and from 11.0.0-M2 through 11.0.5. The older versions, 8.5.90 through 8.5.100, were end-of-life at the time of the CVE's creation but are still known to be affected.
Organizations are recommended to upgrade to version 9.0.104, 10.1.40, or 11.0.6 to address this vulnerability.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation, specifically in the error handling process for invalid HTTP priority headers. The attack vector is network-based, allowing remote attackers to exploit the issue without requiring physical access to the systems. The attack complexity is considered low, as it does not require any special skills or privileges. No user interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.
The confidentiality impact is none, as the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality. The integrity impact is also none, meaning that the vulnerability does not affect the integrity of data. However, the availability impact is high, as a successful exploitation could lead to denial of service due to the OutOfMemoryException.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2025-31650 is significant. Organizations relying on Apache Tomcat for web services may experience service outages due to multiple invalid requests leading to an OutOfMemoryException. This vulnerability could potentially impact the organization’s operations, leading to a loss of availability and trust from clients.
The vulnerability's high CVSS score indicates the urgency for organizations to prioritize its remediation. Given the potential for denial of service, organizations should address this issue in their priority patch cycle.
The blast radius of this vulnerability is substantial, as it can be exploited through network requests, affecting all users of the affected Apache Tomcat versions. Organizations must understand that even a small number of invalid requests can lead to significant consequences, emphasizing the need for immediate attention.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Apache Tomcat are affected by this vulnerability: from 9.0.76 through 9.0.102, from 10.1.10 through 10.1.39, and from 11.0.0-M2 through 11.0.5. The end-of-life versions of 8.5.90 through 8.5.100 are also known to be impacted. Organizations should ensure they upgrade to fixed versions 9.0.104, 10.1.40, or 11.0.6.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should upgrade to version 9.0.104, 10.1.40, or 11.0.6 to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing network controls to restrict access to the affected instances of Apache Tomcat.
Additionally, organizations may utilize monitoring solutions to detect patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, ensuring an additional layer of defense.
For more information about effective vulnerability management practices, organizations can refer to the vulnerability management program design guide.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor logs for indicators of high volume invalid HTTP requests. Behavioral anomalies such as unexpected service interruptions or OutOfMemoryExceptions should also be closely observed.
Network signatures that identify patterns associated with malformed HTTP requests could further assist in early detection of exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-31650 underscores the importance of proper input validation in web applications. This vulnerability serves as a reminder for security teams to conduct thorough assessments of their systems to identify potential weaknesses.
Organizations should consider implementing rigorous testing protocols, including penetration testing, to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Additionally, the patterns observed from this vulnerability highlight the need for continuous training and awareness within development teams to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.
For further guidance on improving security posture, organizations can review the application security assessment framework.
As security trends evolve, organizations must remain vigilant and adapt their security strategies to mitigate risks associated with emerging vulnerabilities.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
.webp)